Healthcare in China, without the stress
How to see a doctor, where the English-speaking hospitals are, what it costs, and who can go with you — everything foreigners need, in your language.
Emergency
Full emergency guide我需要帮助。
Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù.
“I need help.”
请叫救护车。
Qǐng jiào jiùhùchē.
“Please call an ambulance.”
我不舒服。
Wǒ bù shūfu.
“I don't feel well.”
我有过敏。
Wǒ yǒu guòmǐn.
“I have an allergy.”
医院在哪里?
Yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?
“Where is the hospital?”
Get healthy while you're here
Glasses, dental, check-ups, massage — world-class value you can only get in China.
New glasses in an hour
Free eye test on the spot, frames + lenses made while you wait — typically ¥100–400 where the same pair costs 5–10× more back home.
Dental work at local prices
A professional cleaning runs ¥200–400 at private chains with English-speaking dentists. Many visitors schedule their dental year in China.
Full-body check-up, ¥300–1,000
Blood work, ultrasound, ECG, X-ray — a package that costs a fortune elsewhere is a routine morning here, results in days.
Massage as a lifestyle
Foot massage or full-body tuina from about ¥60–150 an hour, open late everywhere. Your post-Great-Wall legs will thank you.
What do you need today?
Straight answers for the health situations foreigners actually hit.
How seeing a doctor works
The whole flow, from choosing a hospital to claiming insurance — so nothing surprises you.
1. Choose your hospital type
Two good options in big cities. Private international hospitals (United Family 和睦家, Jiahui 嘉会…) are full-English and Western-style — expect ¥1,000+ per visit, often direct-billed to international insurance. Public hospitals’ international/VIP departments (国际部 / 特需门诊) get you the same top doctors for ¥100–600, with some English. For everyday small stuff, a pharmacy is often enough.
2. Register (guàhào 挂号)
Registration (挂号, guàhào) is how you "get in line" for a doctor. International hospitals book by phone or email in English. Public hospitals book via their WeChat account — which usually needs a Chinese phone number, so as a visitor either queue at the registration desk in the morning with your passport, or let a bilingual companion book for you.
3. The consultation
Bring your passport, your insurance card, and any medication you take. Consultations are efficient and short; doctors type notes into your paper record booklet (病历本) — keep it, it’s your medical history here. No English? Point at a translation app, or bring a companion; medical staff are used to it.
4. Pay & pick up medicine
You pay as you go — registration first, then again for tests and medicine, by phone QR (Alipay/WeChat) or card at international hospitals. Prescriptions are filled at the hospital’s own pharmacy window before you leave. Public-hospital prices are low: a consultation plus basic tests is often under ¥300 in total.
5. Keep papers for insurance
If insurance isn’t billed directly, collect three things before you leave: the official receipt (发票, fāpiào — ask the cashier), the stamped medical record, and printed test reports. Photograph everything. That’s a complete claim package for any international insurer.
Foreigner-friendly hospitals
Real hospitals with international departments — show the Chinese address to any taxi driver.
Nervous about seeing a doctor in China? A local companion can book, translate and come with you.